Need help planning new build.

[Hotelbravo]

Hello all,
I am looking for help planning a build. I have around 8k to play with and i am not sure really where to go from there.
I am leaning towards a large cube tank with an overflow in middle of the back glass (not a corner overflow) so it can be placed in the middle of a wall and viewed from 3 sides. I dont know any tank manufacturers. (suggestions welcome).
I am wanting a steel stand with panels that can detatch for accessability.
I need to find either a premade cookie cutter sump that will fit or see if i can get a custom sump made.
I am wanting to have a big salt mixing station aswell as rodi/topoff containers but i dont know where to begin after seeing so many peoples amazing and clean looking water stations.
I have 1 Radion Gen 4 Pro on my 60 cube currently and im not sure how many more i will need for a much bigger tank.
Not sure what powerheads work best in this shape, mp40/60s or the gyre style powerheads.
I have 2 ideas im running for stocking. Either sps dominated tank or gigantea and clown harem. not sure if there are flow issues, filtration issues, or anything in large cubes that could affect water quality.

So any help with ideas, and locations to find what i am looking for would be appreciated.

 

[Hemmdog]

@dantimdad has a big cube
@tdlawdo has a clean setup and good mixing stations as well

8k is an amazing budget, this is gonna be awesome.

 

[tdlawdo]

HB,
Nice budget. I have a waterbox 230.6 and all the bells and whistles and did my own water station. I am in for over 10K prior to fish and coral. would be glad to share my water station plans or discuss with you. let me know if you want to talk offline about you can PM for a my number.

 

[dantimdad]

A really, really nice 240 cube could be done for way under 8K

a 240 cube is 48*48*24

 

[JoshH]

I'd say the first question is what are your ideal dimensions?

 

[tdlawdo]

A really, really nice 240 cube could be done for way under 8K

a 240 cube is 48*48*24

And I have an idea @dantimdad knows a place to get a good tank!!

 

[c.poindexter]

There are a lot of options available . First come up with the size you want and go from there. Then there is the age old debate acrylic or glass if you are having it built. My personal choice will always be glass as I have had multiples of both.

 

[dantimdad]

And I have an idea @dantimdad knows a place to get a good tank!!

Who me?

 

[Hotelbravo]

HB,
Nice budget. I have a waterbox 230.6 and all the bells and whistles and did my own water station. I am in for over 10K prior to fish and coral. would be glad to share my water station plans or discuss with you. let me know if you want to talk offline about you can PM for a my number.

I'd like to see the mixing station if able.

A really, really nice 240 cube could be done for way under 8K

a 240 cube is 48*48*24

that sounds like a good option. i was leaning towards 300g but the dimensions of the 240 seem perfect.

There are a lot of options available . First come up with the size you want and go from there. Then there is the age old debate acrylic or glass if you are having it built. My personal choice will always be glass as I have had multiples of both.

I like the idea of glass so i can do starfire glass

 

[Hotelbravo]

Anyone have any suggested websites to visit for any of this?

 

[W1ngz]

My cube isn't near as big, but I hit all of these points you want with my build (see link in sig below):

-cube, starfire glass
-internal overflow, none of that horrid looking corner stuff.
-powder coated steel stand
-removable sides for ease of access

I got the stand and tank shipped to me from Concept Aquariums in Calgary. The attention to detail on the seams isn't anywhere close to what you'd expect from places like reef savvy, but the price fit my budget. I build the side panels myself.

Suggestion: Don't decide on the overflow position until you choose your sump. That way you can plan for the plumbing to be simpler, straight up and down and much more flush along the back of the tank, instead of a bunch of 45s criss-crossing things.

 

[Hotelbravo]

My cube isn't near as big, but I hit all of these points you want with my build (see link in sig below):

-cube, starfire glass
-internal overflow, none of that horrid looking corner stuff.
-powder coated steel stand
-removable sides for ease of access

I got the stand and tank shipped to me from Concept Aquariums in Calgary. The attention to detail on the seams isn't anywhere close to what you'd expect from places like reef savvy, but the price fit my budget. I build the side panels myself.

Suggestion: Don't decide on the overflow position until you choose your sump. That way you can plan for the plumbing to be simpler, straight up and down and much more flush along the back of the tank, instead of a bunch of 45s criss-crossing things.

Thank you for the suggestion, i didnt even consider sump design in relation to overflow position. id like to maintain the center of glass overflow and look more carefully for a sump that can accommodate the overflow.

 

[W1ngz]

Thank you for the suggestion, i didnt even consider sump design in relation to overflow position. id like to maintain the center of glass overflow and look more carefully for a sump that can accommodate the overflow.

If your footprint is going to be 48*48 it may not matter, you'll have room to position most sumps to be in-line anyway. An overflow in the middle could be hard to reach from the sides once everything is in position, but I get the whole symmetrical aesthetic.

 

[Hotelbravo]

I think the 48*48 was what i am leaning towards. How would the lightning need to be positioned for that footprint... Would i need to switch from radion gen 4 pros to something else?

and @W1ngz i tried looking at the Concept Aquariums website but it is blocked on the internet for the country i am in atm.

 

[W1ngz]

Grid style. Look at is as 4 adjacent 24*24 squares, or two 48*24 rectangles.